Summer 2016 Nature Lab Series

May 23, 2016

The State Museum of Pennsylvania offers visitors the opportunity to engage with museum curators and representatives of various Pennsylvania State agencies through its “Summer 2016 Nature Lab: Meet the Experts” series. Programs in the series will be headed by representatives of various state agencies including the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and State Museum curators.

Specialists in fields ranging from archaeology to environmental protection will lead a variety of programs geared toward all ages. Programs will feature Pennsylvania’s rich natural environment and habitats. Each session will be hosted in Nature Lab adjacent to the natural history exhibits on the third floor of The State Museum. These presentations are included with general admission to The Museum.

Thursday, June 30th 11 am – NoonPots of Clay and What They Say
Discover how archaeologists analyze Native American pottery to determine how it was made and what its design tell us.
James Herbstritt, Curator, and Kimberly Sebestyen, Curator, Archaeology Section, The State Museum of Pennsylvania

Thursday, July 14th11:30 am – 12:30 pmWho’s digging PA??? – Current Archaeology in Pennsylvania
Find out about new collections coming to the State Museum’s Archaeology collection from state and federal projects.
Dave Burke, Curator, and Elizabeth Wagner, Curator, Archaeology Section, The State Museum of Pennsylvania

Friday, July 15th 11:30-12:15Skull Game
Come take a look at how skulls can tell you a lot about the animals that they come from.
Linda Powell, Museum Educator, Education Department, The State Museum of Pennsylvania.

Thursday, July 21st11:30 am – 12:30 pmPots of Clay and What They Say
Discover how archaeologists analyze Native American pottery to determine how it was made and what its design tell us.
James Herbstritt, Curator, and Kimberly Sebestyen, Curator, Archaeology Section, The State Museum of Pennsylvania

Friday, July 22nd 11:30 am – 12:15 pmRocks in our Daily Life
See how humans have adapted and used rocks and minerals to enhance our environment. Explore examples of many of these rocks and see the surprising places we find them in our daily lives.
Cherie Trimble, Museum Educator, The State Museum of Pennsylvania

Wednesday, August 10th 11:30 am – 12:15 pmPaleontology
Come and learn about current research in Paleontology.
Steve Jasinski, Acting Curator of Paleontology and Geology, The State Museum of Pennsylvania.

Friday, August 12th 11:30 am – 12:15 pmBirds and Their Beaks
Experience a hands-on demonstration to explore how birds beaks have adapted over time to suit the different types of food they eat.
Cherie Trimble, Museum Educator, The State Museum of Pennsylvania.